What about Sentence Endings tasks in Reading?

In this task, you will get a number of sentences that are not complete and you will have to choose their endings by a number of options given to you. The options will be more than you need and this is what makes this task rather challenging.

The good news is that the questions—that is the first halves of the sentences—will appear at the same order as they will appear in the text, so you will know where to find this information and where to start scanning. Again, as always be careful of paraphrasing! Both the sentences and their endings are going to be paraphrased most probably, so focus on meanings and not on words.

Let’s go and have a closer look on one of these tasks:

Reading: Matching Sentence Endings

Questions 14 -20

Complete each sentence with the correct ending A – K from the box below.

Write the correct letter A – K in spaces 14 – 20 below.

14 Short – term memory can be caused by medical conditions or …………………

15 Some people who suffer from short – term memory loss …..……………..

16 People with long – term memory loss …………………

17 A lack of oxygen to the brain can affect …………………

18 Short – term memories can be influenced by .…………………

19 The different stages of memory are guided by …………………

20 There are medical tests that can define …………………

A other related injuries

B traumatic events, violent crimes, accidents

C are unable to remember not only past personal memories but also facts

D psychological traumas without the help of a consultant

E different parts of the brain such as the frontal lobe of the cerebral context

The first thing you can do is to read the sentences from 14 – 20 and underline key-wordsespecially those phrases that are hard to be paraphrased. These underlined words and phrases will help you and guide you to find the answer in the text through scanning. For example, in question 17, the phrase “lack of oxygen” cannot be easily paraphrased. Additionally, always underline whatyou are going to search for. In questions 14 and 15, for instance, you care about short-term memory but in question 16 you care about long-term memory loss, so don’t get confused.

Secondly, you should always make sure that the endings you choose fit both grammatically and syntactically with the first halves of the sentences. Also, even if they fit in grammar and syntax, make sure that the sentence makes sense in terms of meaning as well. So, after your choice, always read the whole sentence just to make sure that it can stand as a logical sentence.

Thirdly, since the options are more than you need, keep in mind that some options are going to have similar meanings in order to confuse you. Yet, they will differ on important points, so make sure you read the information in the text very carefully.

RECAP!

1.) Read the first half of the sentences and underline key-words

2.) Locate in the passage where exactly this piece of information is

3.) Choose the correct option from the box

4.) Make sure that your option fits not only in grammar and syntax but also in the meaning tries to express.

If you prefer video, this one’s for you:

Success Stories!

Thank you so much ... Due to your lectures, I scored 6.5 in my IELTS Exam ...